Compulsory rural posting of MBBS graduates not feasible - IMA

10 Aug, 2013

The reply to an application filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act in 2012 had revealed that various primary and community health centres were facing shortfall of 2,866 doctors.

In this regard, the government had announced that it would be mandatory for the MBBS graduates to take on rural posting for at least one year before they appear for the post graduate courses. Though Indian Medical Association (IMA) has welcomed the intentions of the government, it has raised questions about its feasibility. The IMA said that there is no infrastructure under which rural posting of nearly 45,000 MBBS graduates could be supervised by senior doctors. IMA also said that one year of posting after graduation would break the academic rhythm of the students and also add one year to academic career.

In a letter sent to the Prime Minister, Union health minister, Medical Council of India and other concerned authorities, the IMA has suggested that a six month rural posting should be there, that too as a part of three year post-graduation programme. It has also suggested that government medical officers be made to serve compulsory rural posting and their promotions be linked to their service in rural areas.